If YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has his way, Mekapati Sri Keethi, widow of former state industries and commence minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy, is likely to be inducted into the state cabinet sooner than later.
According to sources, Jagan is learnt to have taken the decision to induct Sri Keerthi into the cabinet first and later get her elected to the state assembly within the next six months.
“However, it all depends on whether she will accept the post or not,” sources said.
It is learnt the task of convincing Sri Keethi to accept the offer has been entrusted to senior YSRC leader and advisor to the government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy.
Jagan has already spoken to Goutham’s father and former MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy in this regard.
Sajjala, who would be attending the 11th and 12th day rituals of Goutham Reddy at Nellore on Thursday and Friday, would talk to the Mekapati family members including Sri Keerthi on the chief minister’s offer.
If she accepts the offer, Jagan will take her into the cabinet soon after the mourning period is over. It may happen during the budget session of the assembly or a little later.
In any case, Jagan is planning to field one of the members of Mekapati family from Atmakur assembly constituency, for which by-elections would be held within six months. If Sri Keerthi joins the cabinet, she would be the automatic choice for the seat.
Since the opposition parties, too, do not field their candidates if she enters the by-election fray as per the tradition, her election to the state assembly will only be a formality.
Meanwhile, Jagan has postponed the state cabinet meeting from March 3 to March 7, only with a view to facilitating the ministers attending the rituals of Goutham Reddy.
The cabinet is also expected to take a decision on the proposal of the Mekapati family to give away their college at Udayagiri to the state government in order to convert it into Mekapati Goutham Reddy Agricultural University.
